A Year’s Worth of New Seattle Patios

With our city’s limited summer, we need every opportunity to soak in the sun. Here’s a rundown of patios that have opened in the past year to help you catch up on some vitamin D intake.

The Atlantic The brand new patio in the Central District has room for 20. It’s open for dinner service now, look for Monday pop-ups featuring local chefs soon and brunch in a month or so. This fall the patio will be heated and covered so folks can enjoy chef Richard Cano’s ginger molasses tofu bahn mi outside year-round.

Ciudad An art gallery separates Ciudad from Bar Ciudad in Georgetown. The latter’s outdoor space, complete with lawn games, picnic tables, and a stage, can hold over 300 people–and most likely will with a rotating DJ series every other Sunday. Drink offerings include draft and slushi cocktails, beer, wine, and cider. Order food from the walk up window at Ciudad and bring it back to the patio next door. Everything’s cooked on a charcoal grill.

El Sirenito Fonda la Catrina’s sister bar in Georgetown offers a back patio large enough for 60. The fish tacos are beloved, the mescal list extensive, and Pacifico flows from a tap. Stopping by after sunset? Snag a spot by the fire pit.

Manu’s Bodega Owner Manu Alfau recently added a bright patio to his Latin haven. While not quite a Caribbean paradise, it gets close enough with first Thursday Art Walk parties featuring live music. Alfau will soon be opening Manu’s Bodegita in the former Little Uncle sidewalk cafe on Madison. Does it count as a patio if any/all seats are on the sidewalk?

The Nest Josh Henderson has been busy–nine new restaurants in seven months–and one of his newer spots might be the ultimate patio: a sprawling rooftop bar at the Thompson hotel. Nosh on small bites available via cart service and tableside shucked oysters with an uninterrupted view of the Sound and the Olympics. House cocktails are, appropriately, named after birds.

No Bones Beach Club The vegan food truck turned brick and mortar tiki bar in Ballard now boasts a 20-seat sidewalk patio. Sure, there are grander outdoor spaces to be found, but this one boasts an entirely plant-based, tiki-driven menu. Think smoked golden beet poke and jackfruit flautas lit by tiki torch.

Saint Helens Cafe Josh Henderson’s all-day bistro is conveniently located just off the Burke-Gilman trail, where bikers can enjoy coffee and a pastry or the full menu of food and cocktails while perfecting their jersey tan lines. This deck is partially covered and set up with heaters and a fire pit for the frequent Seattle dreary day.

Sizzle Pie Open until 4am Friday and Saturday, the Portland-based pizza company has had no trouble making friends with the Pike/Pine corridor’s late night crowd. On sunny days and warm nights, the covered patio is more an extension of the inside space which has floor-to-ceiling roll-up windows.

Tarsan i Jane The patio formerly known as Tray Kitchen is now home to house-made sausages cooked on an open-air, wood-fired grill by chef and co-owner Perfecte Rocher. The distinct patio menu is available from 5–10pm Thursday through Saturday with Paella served alfresco on Sundays as well. Sip on a kalimoxto–red wine mixed with coke–and take in the smells of summer grilling.

West Seattle Brewing recently opened an outpost in the former Slice’s space on Alki Ave. The oceanfront patiohas about ten tables and additional chairs facing the water. The local brewery is still serving pizza and offers seven taps of its own brews.

…And here are a few to look for later this summer

Tavolàta Ethan Stowell recently opened the second iteration of his Belltown original on Capitol Hill. The new Tavolàta will soon boast a 25 seat patio on corner of Pike and Summit Ave. Until then, enjoy the legendary pork chop and ample happy hour with floor to ceiling windows.

Ernest Loves Agnes The buzzy Hemingway-inspired Italian restaurant on Capitol Hill’s 19th Avenue stretch has a tree-shaded patio that seats 45. Wooden tables and chairs on the Mercer side of the restaurant make for the perfect place to enjoy a homemade pie topped with kale, Mama Lil’s Peppers, and New Moon Jack or a happy hour snack. Have a big group? Reserve a spot for a patio party or weekend brunch get-together. The cherry blossoms will definitely augment that Instagram post you’re planning.